Jonas Parker

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Jonas Parker Veteran

Birth
Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA
Death
19 Apr 1775 (aged 53)
Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA
Burial
Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA Add to Map
Plot
Mass Grave
Memorial ID
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American Revolutionary War Soldier. He was killed by the first fire of the enemy on Lexington Green on the first day of the American Revolution. Refusing to give the enemy even one inch, he was hit by enemy fire, had returned fire, and was attempting to reload on his knees before being cut down by bayonet thrusts. He was one of the first eight of fifty Americans either killed or mortally wounded on that day.
American Revolutionary War Soldier. He was killed by the first fire of the enemy on Lexington Green on the first day of the American Revolution. Refusing to give the enemy even one inch, he was hit by enemy fire, had returned fire, and was attempting to reload on his knees before being cut down by bayonet thrusts. He was one of the first eight of fifty Americans either killed or mortally wounded on that day.

Inscription

Sacred to Liberty & the Rights of makind!!!
The Freedom & Independence of America,
Sealed & defended with the blood of her sons.

This Monument is erected
By the inhabitants of Lexington,
Under the patronage, & at the expence, of
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
To the memory of their Fellow Citizens,
Ensign Robert Munroe, Messrs. Jonas Parker,
Samuel Hadley, Jonathan Harrington Junr.
Isaac Muzzy, Caleb Harrington and John Brown
Of Lexington, & Asahel Porter of Woburn,
Who fell on this field, the first Victims to the
Sword of British Tyranny & Oppression,
On the morning of the ever memorable
Nineteenth of April, An. Dom. 1775.
The Die was cast!!!
The Blood of these Martyrs,
In the cause of God & their Country,
Was the Cement of the Union of these States, then
Colonies; & gave the spring to the spirit, Firmness
And resolution of their Fellow Citizens.
They rose as one man, to revenge their brethren's
Blood and at the point of the sword, to assert &
Defend their native Rights.
They nobly dar'd to be free!!
The contest was long, bloody & affecting;
Righteous Heaven approved the solemn appeal;
Victory crowned their arms; and
The Peace, Liberty & Independence of the United
States of America, was their glorious Reward.

Built in the year 1799.